Ozark Highlands

CERC is active with several research studies in the Ozark Highlands, a unique ecoregion that reaches into Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
The Ozark Highlands is home to many endemic terrestrial and aquatic species, not only important ecologically, but is a strong economic base for many communities. These highlands are one of the most biologically diverse landscapes on earth. Forests, glades, prairies, streams, caves, springs and fens that hold habitats and species found nowhere else on the planet. CERC recognizes this ecoregion as a critical natural resource and works with partners to provide needed information and strategies for the management of this valued area. Woodland crayfish (juvenile)

Ozarks Partnership web http://ozarks.cr.usgs.gov/

CERC Research in the Ozarks (fact sheet)

Research Studies

Publications

Ecological effects of lead mining on Ozark streams: In-situ toxicity to woodland crayfish (Orconectes hylas) (91614)

Allert, A.L., Fairchild, J.F., DiStefano, R.J., Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G. and Besser, J.M. 2009. Ecological effects of lead mining on Ozark streams: In-situ toxicity to woodland crayfish (Orconectes hylas) Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 72(4): 1207-1219.
Effects of mining-derived metals on riffle-dwelling benthic fishes in Southeast Missouri, USA (91663)

Allert, A.L., Fairchild, J.F., Schmitt, C.J., Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G. and Olson, S.J. 2009. Effects of mining-derived metals on riffle-dwelling benthic fishes in Southeast Missouri, USA. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 72(6): 1642-1651.
Ecological impacts of lead mining on Ozark streams: Toxicity of sediment and pore water (91430)

Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G., Allert, A.L., Schmitt, C.J. and Ingersoll, C.G. 2009. Ecological impacts of lead mining on Ozark streams: Toxicity of sediment and pore water. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 72(2): 516-526.
Ecological impacts of lead mining on Ozark streams: Toxicity of sediment and pore water (91430)

Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G., Allert, A.L., Schmitt, C.J. and Ingersoll, C.G. 2009. Ecological impacts of lead mining on Ozark streams: Toxicity of sediment and pore water. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 72(2): 516-526.
Examining multiple sublethal contaminants on the gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor): Effects of an insecticide, herbicide, and fertilizer (91611)

Boone, M.D. and Bridges-Britton, C.M. 2006. Examining multiple sublethal contaminants on the gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor): Effects of an insecticide, herbicide, and fertilizer. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 25(12): 3261-3265.
Assessment of Elemental Concentrations in Streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05

Brumbaugh, W.G., May, T.W., Besser, J.M., Allert, A.L., and Schmitt, C.J., 2007, Assessment of Elemental Concentrations in Streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5057, 58 p.
Assessing Biological Effects from Highway-Runoff Constituents

Buckler, D.R. and Granato, G.E., 1999, Assessing Biological Effects from Highway-Runoff Constituents: U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts-Rhode Island Water Science Center, Open-File Report 99-240, 45 p.
An integrated assessment of the trophic status of Fort Cobb Reservoir, Oklahoma (91311)

Fairchild, J.F., Lakish, B., Echols, K., Chapman, D., Johnson, B. and Jones, S. 2003. An integrated assessment of the trophic status of Fort Cobb Reservoir, Oklahoma. Final report to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region, Billings. MT
Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Selected Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides, and Polybrominated Flame Retardants in Fillets of Fishes from the 2006 Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs

Gale, R.W., May, T.W., Orazio, C.E., and McKee, M.J., 2008, Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Selected Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides, and Polybrominated Flame Retardants in Fillets of Fishes from the 2006 Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Open-File Report 2008-1028, 36 p.
Land-use changes and the physical habitat of streams -a review with emphasis on studies within the U.S. Geological Survey Federal-State Cooperative Program (91605)

Jacobson, R.B., Femmer, S.R., and McKenney, R.A., 2001, Land-use changes and the physical habitat of streams -a review with emphasis on studies within the U.S. Geological Survey Federal-State Cooperative Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Circular 1175, 63 p.
Concentrations of Elements in Hellbender Blood and Fish Fillets from the Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs

May, T.W., Walther, M.J., and Brumbaugh, W.G., 2007, Concentrations of Elements in Hellbender Blood and Fish Fillets from the Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2007-1229, 18 p.
Erosion and Deposition at the Riffle-pool Scale in Gravel-bed Streams, Ozark Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas, 1990-95

McKenney, R. A. and Jacobson, R. B., 1996, Erosion and Deposition at the Riffle-pool Scale in Gravel-bed Streams, Ozark Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas, 1990-95: U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 96-655-A, 171 p.
A macroinvertebrate assessment of Ozark streams located in lead–zinc mining areas of the Viburnum Trend in southeastern Missouri, USA

Poulton, B.C., Allert, A.L., Besser, J.M., Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.B. and Fairchild, J.F. in press. A macroinvertebrate assessment of Ozark streams located in lead–zinc mining areas of the Viburnum Trend in southeastern Missouri, USA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.
Evaluation of direct effects of an insecticide on gray treefrogs: Laboratory and field trials (91420)

Saura-Mas, S., Boone, M.D. and Bridges, C.M. 2002. Evaluation of direct effects of an insecticide on gray treefrogs: Laboratory and field trials. Journal of Herpetology, 36(4): 715-719.
Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead-zinc mining: Implications for monitoring (91615)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G. and May, T.W. 2009. Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead–zinc mining: Implications for monitoring Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 56(3): 509-524.
Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead-zinc mining: Implications for monitoring (91615)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G. and May, T.W. 2009. Concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc in blood and fillets of northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans ) from streams contaminated by lead–zinc mining: Implications for monitoring Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 56(3): 509-524.
Acute Toxicity of Copper, Ammonia, and Chloride to Glochidia and Juveniles of Freshwater Mussels

slideshow from SETAC 2003
Exotic plant species associations with horse trails, old roads, and intact native communities in the Missouri Ozarks (91587)

Stroh, E.D. and Struckoff, M.A. 2009. Exotic plant species associations with horse trails, old roads, and intact native communities in the Missouri Ozarks. Natural Areas Journal, 29(1): 50-56.
Evaluation of acute copper toxicity to juvenile freshwater mussels(fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in natural and reconsitituted waters (in press)

Wang, N., Mebane, C.A., Kunz, J.L., Ingersoll, C.G., May, T.W., Arnold, R.W., Santore, R., Augspurger, T., Dwyer, F.J. and Barnhart, C. in press. Evaluation of acute copper toxicity to juvenile freshwater mussels (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) in natural and reconsitituted waters. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. (an online abstract is not available. You will be directed to Dr. Ning Wang's profile.)
Effects of lead-zinc mining on crayfish (Orconectes hylas) in the Black River watershed, Missouri (91612)

Allert, A.L., Fairchild, J.F., DiStefano, R.J., Schmitt, C.J., Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G. and Poulton, B.C. 2008. Effects of lead-zinc mining on crayfish (Orconectes hylas) in the Black River watershed, Missouri. Freshwater Crayfish, 16: 97-111.
Effect of lead-zinc mining on crayfish in the Black River watershed, Missouri (91613)

Allert, A.L., Fairchild, J.F., DiStefano, R.J., Schmitt, C.J., Besser, J.M., Brumbraugh, W.G. and Poulton, B.C. 2008. Effect of lead-zinc mining on crayfish in the Black River watershed, Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Science Notes, 3: 2p.
Mapping vegetation communities using statistical data fusion in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, USA (91556)

Chastain, R.A., Struckoff, M.A., He, H. and Larsen, D.R. 2008. Mapping vegetation communities using statistical data fusion in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, USA. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 74(2): 247-264.
Differential exposure, duration, and sensitivity of unionoidean bivalve life stages to environmental contaminants (91575)

Cope, W.G., Bringolf, R.B., Buchwalter, D.B., Newton, T.J., Ingersoll, C.G., Wang, N., Augspurger, T., Dwyer, F.J., Barnhart, M.C., Neves, R.J. and Hammer, E. 2008. Differential exposure, duration, and sensitivity of unionoidean bivalve life stages to environmental contaminants. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 27(2): 451-462.
Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls, selected persistent organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated flame retardants in fillets of fishes from the 2006 Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs (91477)

Gale, R.W., Orazio, C.E., and McKee, M.J., 2009, Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls, selected persistent organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated flame retardants in fillets of fishes from the 2007 Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Programs: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009–1053, 20 p.
Lead (91567)

Scheuhammer, A.M., Beyer, W.N. and Schmitt, C.J. 2008. Lead. in: Jorgensen, S.E. and B.D. Faith, eds. Encyclopedia of Ecology, Volume 3: 2133-2139.
Protocol for Monitoring Metals in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri: Version 1.0 (91585)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G., Besser, J.M., Hinck, J.E., Bowles, D.E., Morrison, L.W., and Williams, M.H., 2008, Protocol for Monitoring Metals in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri: Version 1.0: U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, Open-File Report 2008-1269, 43 p.
Influence of pH on the acute toxicity of ammonia to juvenile freshwater mussels (Fatmucket, Lampsilis Siliquoidea) (91576)

Wang, N., Erickson, R.J., Ingersoll, C.G., Ivey, C.D., Brunson, E.L., Augspurger, T. and Barnhart, M.C. 2008. Influence of pH on the acute toxicity of ammonia to juvenile freshwater mussels (Fatmucket, Lampsilis Siliquoidea). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 27(5): 1141-1146.
Advances and opportunities in assessing contaminant sensitivity of freshwater mussel (unionidae) early life stages (91630)

Augspurger, T., Dwyer, F.J., Ingersoll, C.G. and Kane, C.M. 2007. Advances and opportunities in assessing contaminant sensitivity of freshwater mussel (unionidae) early life stages. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26(10): 2025-2028.
Biomonitoring of lead, zinc, and cadmium in streams draining lead-mining and non-mining areas, Southeast Missouri, USA (91538)

Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G., May, T.W. and Schmitt, C.J. 2007. Biomonitoring of lead, zinc, and cadmium in streams draining lead-mining and non-mining areas, Southeast Missouri, USA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 129 (1-3): 277-241.
Sensitivity of mottled sculpins (Cottus Bairdi) and rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus Mykiss) to acute and chronic toxicity of cadmium, copper, and zinc (91542)

Besser, J.M., Mebane, C.A., Mount, D.R., Ivey, C.D., Kunz, J.L., Greer, I.E., May, T.W. and Ingersoll, C.G. 2007. Sensitivity of mottled sculpins (Cottus Bairdi) and rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus Mykiss) to acute and chronic toxicity of cadmium, copper, and zinc. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26(8): 1657-1665.
Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05 (91485)

Brumbaugh, W.G., May, T.W., Besser, J.M., Allert, A.L. and Schmitt, C.J. 2007. Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5057.
Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05 (91485)

Brumbaugh, W.G., May, T.W., Besser, J.M., Allert, A.L. and Schmitt, C.J. 2007. Assessment of elemental concentrations in streams of the New Lead Belt in Southeastern Missouri, 2002-05. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5057.
An evaluation of freshwater mussel toxicity data in the derivation of water quality guidance and standards for copper (91166)

March, F.A., Dwyer, F.J., Augspurger, T., Ingersoll, C.G., Wang, N. and Mebane, C.A. 2007. An evaluation of freshwater mussel toxicity data in the derivation of water quality guidance and standards for copper. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26(10): 2066-2074.
Evaluation of potentially nonlethal sampling methods for monitoring mercury concentrations in smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ) (91513)

Schmitt, C.J. and Brumbaugh, W.G. 2007. Evaluation of potentially nonlethal sampling methods for monitoring mercury concentrations in smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ) Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 53(1): 84-95.
Accumulation of metals in fish from lead-zinc mining areas of southeastern Missouri, USA (91490)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G. and May, T.W. 2007. Accumulation of metals in fish from lead–zinc mining areas of southeastern Missouri, USA Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 67(1): 14-30.
Concentrations of metals in aquatic invertebrates from the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri (91544)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G., Besser, J.M. and May, T.W. 2007. Concentrations of metals in aquatic invertebrates from the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri. U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2007-1435.
Biomarkers of metals exposure in fish from lead-zinc mining areas of Southeastern Missouri, USA (91491)

Schmitt, C.J., Whyte, J.J., Roberts, A.P., Annis, M.L., May, T.W. and Tillitt, D.E. 2007. Biomarkers of metals exposure in fish from lead-zinc mining areas of Southeastern Missouri, USA Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 67(1): 31-47.
Intra- and interlaboratory variability in acute toxicity tests with glochidia and juveniles of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) (91521)

Wang, N., Augspurger, T., Barnhart, M.C., Bidwell, J.R., Cope, W.G., Dwyer, F.J., Geis, S., Greer, I.E., Ingersoll, C.G., Kane, C.M., May, T.W., Neves, R.J., Newton, T.J., Roberts, A.D. and Whites, D.W. 2007. Intra- and interlaboratory variability in acute toxicity tests with glochidia and juveniles of freshwater mussels (Unionidae). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26(10):2029-2035.
Chronic toxicity of copper and ammonia to juvenile freshwater mussels (Unionidae) (91523)

Wang, N., Ingersoll, C.G., Greer, I.E., Hardesty, D.K., Ivey, C.D., Kunz, J.L., Brumbaugh, W.G., Dwyer, F.J., Roberts, A.D., Augspurger, T., Kane, C.M., Neves, R.J. and Barnhart, M.C. 2007. Chronic toxicity of copper and ammonia to juvenile freshwater mussels (Unionidae). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26(10): 2048-2056.
Acute toxicity of copper, ammonia, and chlorine to glochidia and juveniles of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) (91522)

Wang, N., Ingersoll, C.G., Hardesty, D.K., Ivey, C.D., Kunz, J.L., May, T.W., Dwyer, F.J., Roberts, A.D., Augspurger, T., Kane, C.M., Neves, R.J. and Barnhart, M.C. 2007. Acute toxicity of copper, ammonia, and chlorine to glochidia and juveniles of freshwater mussels (Unionidae). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26(10): 2036-2047.
Examining multiple sublethal contaminants on the gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor): Effects of an insecticide, herbicide, and fertilizer (91611)

Boone, M.D. and Bridges-Britton, C.M. 2006. Examining multiple sublethal contaminants on the gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor): Effects of an insecticide, herbicide, and fertilizer. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 25(12): 3261-3265.
Mapping vegetation communities in Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Final technical report to the National Park Service (91480)

Chastain, R.A., Struckoff, M.A., Grabner, K.W., Stroh, E.D., He, H., Larsen, D.R., Nigh, T.A. and Drake, J. 2006. Mapping vegetation communities in Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Final technical report to the National Park Service. U.S. Geological Survey, Open File Report 2006-1354.
ASTM International Standard Guide for Conducting Laboratory Toxicity Tests with Freshwater Mussels (E2455-06) (91607)

Ingersoll, C.G., Augspurger, T., Barnhart, C., Bidwell, J., Bishop, C., Black, M., Cope, G., Bringolf, R.B., Dwyer, F.J., Greer, I.E., Keller, A., Linder, G., Neves, R., Newton, T., Pepin, R., Roberts, A., Roberts, C., Salazar, M., Samuel, A., Stephan, C., Van Hassel, J., Wang, N. and Watters, T. 2006. ASTM E2455-06: Standard guide for conducting laboratory toxicity tests with freshwater mussels. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 11.05, West Conshohocken PA.
A screening-level assessment of lead, cadmium, and zinc in fish and crayfish from Northeastern Oklahoma, USA (91451)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbraugh, W.G., Linder, G.L. and Hinck, J.E. 2006. A screening-level assessment of lead, cadmium, and zinc in fish and crayfish from Northeastern Oklahoma, USA. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 28(5): 445-471.
Physical Aquatic Habitat Assessment Data, Ozark Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas (91331)

Jacobson, R.B., Johnson, H.E., Reuter, J.M. and Wright, M.P., 2004, Physical Aquatic Habitat Assessment Data, Ozark Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas. U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Report DS-94.
Physical stream habitat dynamics in Lower Bear Creek, Northern Arkansas (91274)

Reuter, J.M., Jacobson, R.B. and Elliott, C.M. 2003. Physical stream habitat dynamics in Lower Bear Creek, Northern Arkansas. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Science Report 2003-0002.
Relations among geology, physiogeography, land use and stream habitat conditions in the Buffalo and Current River Systems, Missouri and Arkansas (91162)

Panfil, M.S. and Jacobson, R.B. 2001. Relations among geology, physiogeography, land use and stream habitat conditions in the Buffalo and Current River Systems, Missouri and Arkansas. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Science Report 2001-0005.
Hydraulic modeling of in-channel habitats in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri: assessment of physical habitat sensitivity to environmental change (91220)

Panfil, M.S. and Jacobson, R.B. 2000. Hydraulic modeling of in-channel habitats in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri: assessment of physical habitat sensitivity to environmental change. http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/rss/rfmodel/
Gravel sediment routing from widespread, low-intensity landscape disturbance, Current River Basin, Missouri (91005)

Jacobson, R.B., and Gran, K.B., 1999, Gravel sediment routing from widespread, low-intensity landscape disturbance, Current River Basin, Missouri: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 24(10): 897-917.
Riparian-vegetation Controls on the Spatial Pattern of Stream-channel Instability, Little Piney Creek, Missouri (91662)

Jacobson, R.B. and Pugh, A.L., 1998, Riparian-vegetation Controls on the Spatial Pattern of Stream-channel Instability, Little Piney Creek, Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper 2494
Historical Land-use Changes and Potential Effects on Stream Disturbance in the Ozark Plateaus, Missouri (91661)

Jacobson, R.B. and Primm, A.T., 1997, Historical Land-use Changes and Potential Effects on Stream Disturbance in the Ozark Plateaus, Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper 2484.
Residues of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the Spring River, Missouri (90530)

Crunkilton, R.L., Smith, L.M., Petty, J.D. and Kleopfer, R.D. 1987. Residues of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the Spring River, Missouri. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 32(1-2): 219-231.
Bioavailability of lead and cadmium from mine tailings to the pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis ventricosa) (90553)

Schmitt, C.J., Finger, S.E., May, T.W. and Kaiser, M.S. 1987. Bioavailability of lead and cadmium from mine tailings to the pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis ventricosa). Proceedings of the Workshop on Die-Offs of Freshwater Mussels in the United States, Richard J. Neves, Editor Sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee: 115-142.